Excalibur

macpappy · 10-15-2008, 01:00 PM

Recently purchased an Excalibur Legend sampler pack that contained 1 Conqueror, 1 Challenger and 1 Crusader. After letting it sit in my cooler for a week I decided to give one a try.

I was totally and completely disgusted by the Challenger.

I did a V cut, lit it and at first I thought this is promising. The flavor was OK and it produce a good volume of smoke. For about two minutes. Then it went out.

As I had gotten a good bit of smoke on the initial draw (I'm trying not to use th "p" word), I was surprised so I relit it. As long as I was drawing on it constantly it produced a good amount of smoke but if I stopped it stopped.

This time I tapped the 1/8 inch ash off and looked at it. I was surprised by a gap in the center between where the ash was and where the filler was.

I'm thinking this was just a bad cigar and plan on trying one of the other Excaliburs when I have time this weekend.

Has anyone else seen this problem?

Coz77 · 10-15-2008, 01:03 PM

Sounds like maybe the cigar was to wet. Let the other ciagrs sit longer, maybe drybox the next one a few days before lighting.

BlackIrish · 10-15-2008, 01:11 PM

I smoked one of these in a blind tasting and didn't have any of the problems you describe. Here was my review of the Crusader:

I smoked the first of TedRodgersCPAs sample of 5. I started with cigar #4. I'm on a business trip and don't have my camera with me, so I apologize for the lack of photos.

Prelight: This cigar looked to be about 6x48, with a somewhat veiny, colorado wrapper, medium brown with some orange-ish hues, leathery with a nice sheen. From the looks of it, I'm guessing it's a sungrown wrapper. It was will filled, very firm. Aromas of wood, sweetness, caramel. The cap was applied a little bit sloppily. When I sliced it, I got a great cold draw and definite sweetness and spice.

Burn: The burn was excellent, straight with only the occasional wobble that self-corrected. Light gray ash was firm. Voluminous smoke. Smoking time was about 1.5 hours.

Taste: I got a little pepper upon lighting, but it smoothed out quickly. Flavors of leather, earth, and some cedar layered over a background of sweetness and some baking spice (this has to be a sungrown wrapper). Nicely balanced, pleasant flavors. Medium bodied, with a clean finish.

The flavor stayed pretty steady throughout the smoke, though it became a bit stronger in the second half. About halfway through the cigar I began to detect some other flavor notes: some nuttiness, maybe vanilla, maybe almond. It wasn't super-complex, more steady but tasty, and it stayed that way all the way to the nub. It got a bit hot in the last inch or so, and I knew that time was up.

I enjoyed this cigar. It's a well-made, flavorful smoke, not stellar, but straightforward, tasty, honest smoke.

macpappy · 10-15-2008, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coz77

Sounds like maybe the cigar was to wet. Let the other ciagrs sit longer, maybe drybox the next one a few days before lighting.

I guess that's possible but the sampler box sat in my truck for two days before I got home to put it in my coolerador. I keep my cooler at 65%.

Thanks for the response. I'll move the two remaining into my desktop for a few days before smoking one of them.

Scottw · 10-15-2008, 11:28 PM

try the epicure maduro, awesome.

macpappy · 10-16-2008, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottw

try the epicure maduro, awesome.

Thanks. I'll keep an eye out for it.

macpappy · 10-22-2008, 07:31 AM

Yesterday I tried the toro size of the Excalibur Legend. This was after I let it rest in my humidor since trying the first one. The extra time did nothing to improve this cigar as it had the same draw/burn problem as the first one. I tried smoking it for about 20 minutes but it kept going out.

This was not a good purchase for me.

jkstewart1 · 11-29-2010, 11:40 AM

Not to renew an old thread, but I just smoked an excalibur legend this morning and it kicked my ass. I still have a little less than half left, but I fell too quesy to go on. Might need to let these sit a while. I enjoy strong sticks, but this is overwhelming for a morning smoke.

10-15-2008, 01:00 PM	#1
macpappy Rider on the storm. Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Slidell, LA Posts: 851 Trading: (0)	Excalibur Recently purchased an Excalibur Legend sampler pack that contained 1 Conqueror, 1 Challenger and 1 Crusader. After letting it sit in my cooler for a week I decided to give one a try. I was totally and completely disgusted by the Challenger. I did a V cut, lit it and at first I thought this is promising. The flavor was OK and it produce a good volume of smoke. For about two minutes. Then it went out. As I had gotten a good bit of smoke on the initial draw (I'm trying not to use th "p" word), I was surprised so I relit it. As long as I was drawing on it constantly it produced a good amount of smoke but if I stopped it stopped. This time I tapped the 1/8 inch ash off and looked at it. I was surprised by a gap in the center between where the ash was and where the filler was. I'm thinking this was just a bad cigar and plan on trying one of the other Excaliburs when I have time this weekend. Has anyone else seen this problem? __________________ WARNING: I am a Southern White Male. I have a brain and I know how to use it.

10-15-2008, 01:03 PM	#2
Coz77 Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Mark Location: NY Posts: 307 Trading: (1)	Re: Excalibur Sounds like maybe the cigar was to wet. Let the other ciagrs sit longer, maybe drybox the next one a few days before lighting.

10-15-2008, 01:11 PM	#3
BlackIrish MassHole Militia Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Eddie Location: Bunker Hill Posts: 1,395 Trading: (55)	Re: Excalibur I smoked one of these in a blind tasting and didn't have any of the problems you describe. Here was my review of the Crusader: I smoked the first of TedRodgersCPAs sample of 5. I started with cigar #4. I'm on a business trip and don't have my camera with me, so I apologize for the lack of photos. Prelight: This cigar looked to be about 6x48, with a somewhat veiny, colorado wrapper, medium brown with some orange-ish hues, leathery with a nice sheen. From the looks of it, I'm guessing it's a sungrown wrapper. It was will filled, very firm. Aromas of wood, sweetness, caramel. The cap was applied a little bit sloppily. When I sliced it, I got a great cold draw and definite sweetness and spice. Burn: The burn was excellent, straight with only the occasional wobble that self-corrected. Light gray ash was firm. Voluminous smoke. Smoking time was about 1.5 hours. Taste: I got a little pepper upon lighting, but it smoothed out quickly. Flavors of leather, earth, and some cedar layered over a background of sweetness and some baking spice (this has to be a sungrown wrapper). Nicely balanced, pleasant flavors. Medium bodied, with a clean finish. The flavor stayed pretty steady throughout the smoke, though it became a bit stronger in the second half. About halfway through the cigar I began to detect some other flavor notes: some nuttiness, maybe vanilla, maybe almond. It wasn't super-complex, more steady but tasty, and it stayed that way all the way to the nub. It got a bit hot in the last inch or so, and I knew that time was up. I enjoyed this cigar. It's a well-made, flavorful smoke, not stellar, but straightforward, tasty, honest smoke. __________________

10-15-2008, 11:28 PM	#5
Scottw Going Commando Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Scott Location: Sussex, NJ Posts: 2,815 Trading: (6)	Re: Excalibur try the epicure maduro, awesome. __________________ "Ray when someone asks you if your a GOD you say yes."

10-22-2008, 07:31 AM	#7
macpappy Rider on the storm. Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Slidell, LA Posts: 851 Trading: (0)	Re: Excalibur Yesterday I tried the toro size of the Excalibur Legend. This was after I let it rest in my humidor since trying the first one. The extra time did nothing to improve this cigar as it had the same draw/burn problem as the first one. I tried smoking it for about 20 minutes but it kept going out. This was not a good purchase for me. __________________ WARNING: I am a Southern White Male. I have a brain and I know how to use it.

11-29-2010, 11:40 AM	#8
jkstewart1 Time to change the Avatar Join Date: Oct 2010 First Name: John Location: Amish Country, Illinois Posts: 153 Trading: (7)	Re: Excalibur Not to renew an old thread, but I just smoked an excalibur legend this morning and it kicked my ass. I still have a little less than half left, but I fell too quesy to go on. Might need to let these sit a while. I enjoy strong sticks, but this is overwhelming for a morning smoke.